Robert Sherman's plane lost control minutes after takeoff, NTSB says

Prominent activist, atheist died in Marengo plane crash

By JORDYN REILAND - jreiland@shawmedia.com

Dec. 16, 2016

Chuck Novara

Caption

AP file photo
Atheist Rob Sherman addresses the Friends of the Cross board May 25, 2012, in Alto Pass. The McHenry County Coroner's Office on Monday said 63-year-old Robert I. Sherman of Poplar Grove died in a small plane crash in Marengo. Sherman, who described himself as "the best known atheist-activist in the Midwest," was an outspoken atheist known across Illinois for going to court to challenge religious displays in public spaces or using state money for religious purposes.

MARENGO – The plane operated by prominent activist and atheist Robert I. Sherman crashed after a "loss of control" minutes after takeoff, National Transportation Safety Board investigators said.

Sherman's home-built plane crashed about 6:19 p.m. Dec. 9, just seven minutes after taking off, according to a preliminary report published Thursday. The plane was discovered Saturday morning in a field off Meyer Road just north of Pleasant Grove Road in Marengo. There were no witnesses to the crash, the report said.

There was no communication between air traffic control and Sherman, the report said. The time of departure and time of the crash were based on preliminary air traffic control radar data.

The left main landing gear was located about 190 feet southeast of the main wreckage, part of the right wing was located about 100 feet southeast, and a small satchel bag was located about 500 feet south, the report said.

Sherman was a Green Party candidate for Illinois' 5th Congressional District in the fall and announced plans to run for the 12th Congressional District in 2018. He was very passionate about taking on separation of church and state issues, as well as other battles in the Chicago area.

He also operated a builder assist center, called Rob Sherman Airplanes, at Poplar Grove Airport, according to the business’s website.

Sherman is survived by his wife, Celeste Sherman, and two children. A memorial will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Schaumburg Regional Airport, 905 W. Irving Park Road, Schaumburg.